Charles Leclerc finished fastest on final day of Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona

At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Pirelli wrapped up the second and final day of its latest Formula 1 tyre development test on Wednesday, with Ferrari and McLaren once again working together. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton shared driving responsibilities in a Ferrari SF-24 during the session, which was intended to develop the Italian manufacturer's 2026 specification tyres. 

Oscar Piastri drove the McLaren MCL60 alone. Both vehicles were altered to accept the prototype tyres, which will be 25 millimetres narrower at the front and 30 millimetres narrower at the back than the current tyres due to new technical requirements that will take effect next year. During the day, the three drivers completed 300 laps in total. Leclerc and Hamilton each completed 74 laps in the Ferrari, but Piastri's 152 laps in the McLaren were outstanding. 

Pirelli development program in Andalusia 

While lap times were recorded (1'14''971 for Leclerc, 1'16''759 for Hamilton, and 1'15''815 for Piastri), they are not very important because Pirelli is following different work programs. If there is any difference it will come to know in Bahrain as the new car will be used during pre-season testing. Leclerc's one-lap skill and team experience make everyone expect him to start a little ahead, but this might not be the case. In the year 2021 when the unofficial times were leaked after Carlos Sainz defeated Leclerc in the first Fiorano examination.

Testing in Barcelona this week will be followed by Pirelli's development program in Andalusia at Jerez de la Frontera the following week, on February 13 and 14. Mercedes and McLaren will compete once apiece, while Alpine will compete twice. Only a few days after Formula One's official three-day test at the same location, Alpine and Williams will make their final preseason appearances at Bahrain's Sakhir track on March 2 and 3.